November
SUNDAY 1.11.98 4.40pm
Today is Svi Sveti (All Souls) I’ve been swanning round Orthodox and Catholic graveyards for half the day making sure that all was okay. – It was absolutely dead (if you’ll excuse the pun!). I went shopping at the AS Market in Sarajevo today and bought some beef, cabbage etc, it’s in the oven roasting at the moment!! Del phoned at about 2pm which was a bit of a surprise. She’s ordered a £5000 kitchen which was also a bit of a surprise to me!! At least Sarah, Brian, Jenny and Catherine are okay!!!
Re that man who stood on the mine yesterday, I checked up and he’s stable, poor sod!! It’s progressively getting colder now, I wouldn’t be surprised if it started snowing soon. My only worry is getting snowed in at Sarajevo airport on leave!! (10 more nights to go and that’s it!!). Today I’ve got less than five months left in the Mission!! Alain goes on the 17th so I’ll be the official Deputy Station Commander then. I think that I’ll still keep my job as Human Rights Officer as well.
At the moment Markus has gone out for a run so the Telly’s on and I’m watching a film called “Granny Goodheart” whilst I’m writing this, it’s in English with Bosnian subtitles! I’ve got 30 Dem to my name and 300 Dem for leave!! I’ll have to take it really easy from now on methinks!
Time now is 6.20pm have just eaten roast beef, cabbage, string beans, roast potatoes and bisto gravy. It was great! Have also washed all the pots and I’m having a cigarette now. There’s not a lot happened today, Dicky was Duty Officer, the other Indians, Pakistani’s were on patrol as per usual and I did whatever I wanted to do being the “Investigation Team”!! We did get a fax this morning from IPTF Pale about cattle theft again. Apparently Vogošća PD had two suspects in for questioning and Rogatica PD (Serb side) wanted to know what happened to them so I popped into Vogošća and saw the crime department. They said that they’d have copies of the interviews etc tomorrow. That was about it!!
Last night I sat watching a really crappy “Euro” type film in English on the TV and promptly fell asleep. I woke up at 1am and went to bed. I’m also going to have an early night tonight – I’m still getting those headaches at the lower back of my head, I’m sure that it’s these bloody glasses. I usually get the headache after I’ve been on the computer.
I forgot to mention it but the landlords son came the other week. He’s on about the electricity bills and wants more people to live here!! If he starts putting people in we will both leave!!
Re that man who stood on the mine yesterday, I checked up and he’s stable, poor sod!! It’s progressively getting colder now, I wouldn’t be surprised if it started snowing soon. My only worry is getting snowed in at Sarajevo airport on leave!! (10 more nights to go and that’s it!!). Today I’ve got less than five months left in the Mission!! Alain goes on the 17th so I’ll be the official Deputy Station Commander then. I think that I’ll still keep my job as Human Rights Officer as well.
At the moment Markus has gone out for a run so the Telly’s on and I’m watching a film called “Granny Goodheart” whilst I’m writing this, it’s in English with Bosnian subtitles! I’ve got 30 Dem to my name and 300 Dem for leave!! I’ll have to take it really easy from now on methinks!
Time now is 6.20pm have just eaten roast beef, cabbage, string beans, roast potatoes and bisto gravy. It was great! Have also washed all the pots and I’m having a cigarette now. There’s not a lot happened today, Dicky was Duty Officer, the other Indians, Pakistani’s were on patrol as per usual and I did whatever I wanted to do being the “Investigation Team”!! We did get a fax this morning from IPTF Pale about cattle theft again. Apparently Vogošća PD had two suspects in for questioning and Rogatica PD (Serb side) wanted to know what happened to them so I popped into Vogošća and saw the crime department. They said that they’d have copies of the interviews etc tomorrow. That was about it!!
Last night I sat watching a really crappy “Euro” type film in English on the TV and promptly fell asleep. I woke up at 1am and went to bed. I’m also going to have an early night tonight – I’m still getting those headaches at the lower back of my head, I’m sure that it’s these bloody glasses. I usually get the headache after I’ve been on the computer.
I forgot to mention it but the landlords son came the other week. He’s on about the electricity bills and wants more people to live here!! If he starts putting people in we will both leave!!
MONDAY 2.11.98 4.30pm
Had an early night last night, went to bed at 10.15pm and got up at 7am this morning feeling refreshed. I didn’t even have a headache today. There were a couple of jobs that I picked up on in the daily bulletin from Vogošća and Ilijaš. The first was a juvenile (12 years old) who’d broke into a shop at Ilijaš and stole some car keys, he then stole the car but it got bogged down in a field so he got caught at 23.15pm. He was released at 1.30am as he was under age, and at 5.10am he was picked up in Vogošća. It turned out that after being released he mugged someone in Sarajevo Centre, so the local cops from “Centar” came and collected him!! The other job was a guy who was drunk in Popovići, Ilijaš. He had an argument with his wife and lobbed a hand grenade on the lawn! After searching his house the local cops also found another grenade and five anti-personnel mines!! An offence report has been submitted to the Prosecution office in Sarajevo!!
There were some other minor jobs, I had to pop into Vogošća to get a record of an interview re a couple of people who had stolen cattle from Republika Srpska. Rogatica Station were requesting it via IPTF Pale. Also popped into Ilijaš and saw Zdenko and had a coffee with him.
Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 2pm and did my reports then at 2.45pm went for a pizza at Sebastian Coffee Bar down the road. As it happened I met a local guy who wants to rent his house and Stefan was desperately looking for one today. He finished work at 12 noon and I’ve been trying to contact him since 3pm!!!
We’ve ran out of wood for the fire so have got the electric radiators on at the moment – it’s not too cold outside but it feels damp and miserable. Oh well, nine more nights to go then I’ll be in centrally heated accommodation for a few days! Markus is flying round like a blue arsed fly, he nipped out to buy some salad and spuds for a “Kartoffelsalat” and he forgot the eggs (Jaja) so he’s nipped out again. After that large pizza I had I don’t really feel like eating just yet, and that was my first meal of the day!
Tomorrow the cleaning lady comes at 7.30am to do the house which is a real pain in the bum!! I’ve also got a meeting with Federation and Serb police at 11am at R.H.Q. – that should be interesting! I also checked the guy who had his leg blown off – he’s stable, thank heavens. That’s about my news apart from the fact that I’ve run out of indigestion tablets yet again! I think that Markus has got some “Maalox” for bad guts – I’ll top him up when he gets in, then I can have a beer!! See Ya!
PS. Time now 8.25pm, Baloch came to the Kuća (house) at about 7pm he had a fax stating that I was Deputy Station Commander with effect from 3 Nov 1998.
Wow, I’m a big shot now!! See Ya!!
There were some other minor jobs, I had to pop into Vogošća to get a record of an interview re a couple of people who had stolen cattle from Republika Srpska. Rogatica Station were requesting it via IPTF Pale. Also popped into Ilijaš and saw Zdenko and had a coffee with him.
Got back to IPTF Vogošća at 2pm and did my reports then at 2.45pm went for a pizza at Sebastian Coffee Bar down the road. As it happened I met a local guy who wants to rent his house and Stefan was desperately looking for one today. He finished work at 12 noon and I’ve been trying to contact him since 3pm!!!
We’ve ran out of wood for the fire so have got the electric radiators on at the moment – it’s not too cold outside but it feels damp and miserable. Oh well, nine more nights to go then I’ll be in centrally heated accommodation for a few days! Markus is flying round like a blue arsed fly, he nipped out to buy some salad and spuds for a “Kartoffelsalat” and he forgot the eggs (Jaja) so he’s nipped out again. After that large pizza I had I don’t really feel like eating just yet, and that was my first meal of the day!
Tomorrow the cleaning lady comes at 7.30am to do the house which is a real pain in the bum!! I’ve also got a meeting with Federation and Serb police at 11am at R.H.Q. – that should be interesting! I also checked the guy who had his leg blown off – he’s stable, thank heavens. That’s about my news apart from the fact that I’ve run out of indigestion tablets yet again! I think that Markus has got some “Maalox” for bad guts – I’ll top him up when he gets in, then I can have a beer!! See Ya!
PS. Time now 8.25pm, Baloch came to the Kuća (house) at about 7pm he had a fax stating that I was Deputy Station Commander with effect from 3 Nov 1998.
Wow, I’m a big shot now!! See Ya!!
TUESDAY 3.11.98 5.20pm
Didn’t quite make it this morning, the cleaning woman got here at 7.20am! I was dressed but hadn’t made my cup of tea. I made that then shot out of the station straight away!! Baloch went on CTO today so although Alain is still here I’m in charge of the station. First job was to attend a meeting at 11am at RHQ. All the Police Chiefs from surrounding stations Federation and Republika Srpska attended. It was more for them to cooperate with each other than for the IPTF! Got back to the station at 1pm and went across to the house at 1.15pm for a bite to eat and a cup of tea. Had just started making it when I was informed that a female was at the station asking for me. It turned out to be a lady who could speak English, she had phoned yesterday wanting to see me re a housing problem. It turned out that the incident is in Breza which is part of Doboj Region. She had lived in the house for one year and it had been sold to a private buyer. He then wanted her and her two kids out and had sent threatening letters and even got the Mayor of Breza to threaten her with job dismissal. (She is a school teacher in Breza). There is a lot more but when I asked her why hadn’t she gone to IPTF Breza about this I found out that she had been several times and the Human Rights Officer was useless!!! I phoned the Human Rights Co-ordinator at Doboj Region and co-operation was promised. In fact two new H.R. Officers were appointed to Breza today and both are English!! I told the complainant all this and she’s happy that at least something will be done for her. I took her to Breza which isn’t too far away but the “Brits” weren’t on duty until tomorrow at 8am. She’ll go back to the station then and tell them her complaint and I’ll also phone Breza and explain the situation! She was over the moon and thought the English were wonderful!!
Finished work at about 4.10pm and then wandered back to the house and made up the fire. We found some extra wood in another room downstairs so all’s okay. At the moment I’m having a can of Warsteiner. 6.20pm Stefan came in a while ago, officially he’s on CTO but he’s looking for new accommodation. Yesterday I found a place for him but couldn’t get hold of him. Anyway, he’s got the details now and is off to try and find the landlord! It was cloudy and grey again today, no sunshine at all. The forests on the hills look magnificent now that the leaves are changing colour, I really must get some photos of it.
That’s about it for now, See Ya!!!
Finished work at about 4.10pm and then wandered back to the house and made up the fire. We found some extra wood in another room downstairs so all’s okay. At the moment I’m having a can of Warsteiner. 6.20pm Stefan came in a while ago, officially he’s on CTO but he’s looking for new accommodation. Yesterday I found a place for him but couldn’t get hold of him. Anyway, he’s got the details now and is off to try and find the landlord! It was cloudy and grey again today, no sunshine at all. The forests on the hills look magnificent now that the leaves are changing colour, I really must get some photos of it.
That’s about it for now, See Ya!!!
WEDNESDAY 4.11.98 4.45pm
Last night after finishing writing Zsolt and Gergely (Hungary) came across to the house and had a few beers etc. They’d just come back from CTO and were on the afternoon shift, both had driven back from Hungary and were knackered!! Went to bed at about 10.30pm and had a good sleep. Got up at 7.30am and went into work in charge of the station!! Did a bit of paperwork and then went with Markus for lunch at 12 noon down to “Alma”, had a schnitzel and cabbage + gherkin salad with bread, it was okay.
In the afternoon I took Bernd from the German SFOR up to Rosjle where there was a mine strike last week. He put all his body armour + steel helmet on and I was in front of him wearing my Hush Puppy shoes!! We didn’t go all the way into the minefield as it was rather dangerous but when we came back to the vehicles a local male informed the language assistant, Slađjana, that there were two more bombs in a field at the bottom of the hill. He showed us where they were rifle grenades that had landed in mud and had not gone off. We didn’t touch them but marked the spot with sticks etc. The local Civil Defence will have to deal with it later.
Finished work at 4pm and I’ve put a load of washing into the machine. I’ve got another load to do after that, shirts, jeans, underwear etc! Tomorrow Markus and I have been invited to a party at the Texas Bar/ Restaurant by an American called “Hutch” who’s a helicopter mechanic for SFOR and is based in Germany. I suppose we’ll have to drink copious amounts of alcohol again!!
The weather today was great, it’s been warm with the sun peeking through now and again. I’ve been in shirt sleeve order all day instead of wearing my light weight jacket, great! Re my “other” job as Human Rights Officer there’s a Ghanaian, Adamu Musah, who’s just come to the station form Foča who’s interested in Human Rights. I’ve had a word with him and he wants the job so I’ll train him up before I go on leave. (one week today!!). That’s about it for now, I’ve finished my mug of tea and I think that I’ll have a beer. See Ya.
In the afternoon I took Bernd from the German SFOR up to Rosjle where there was a mine strike last week. He put all his body armour + steel helmet on and I was in front of him wearing my Hush Puppy shoes!! We didn’t go all the way into the minefield as it was rather dangerous but when we came back to the vehicles a local male informed the language assistant, Slađjana, that there were two more bombs in a field at the bottom of the hill. He showed us where they were rifle grenades that had landed in mud and had not gone off. We didn’t touch them but marked the spot with sticks etc. The local Civil Defence will have to deal with it later.
Finished work at 4pm and I’ve put a load of washing into the machine. I’ve got another load to do after that, shirts, jeans, underwear etc! Tomorrow Markus and I have been invited to a party at the Texas Bar/ Restaurant by an American called “Hutch” who’s a helicopter mechanic for SFOR and is based in Germany. I suppose we’ll have to drink copious amounts of alcohol again!!
The weather today was great, it’s been warm with the sun peeking through now and again. I’ve been in shirt sleeve order all day instead of wearing my light weight jacket, great! Re my “other” job as Human Rights Officer there’s a Ghanaian, Adamu Musah, who’s just come to the station form Foča who’s interested in Human Rights. I’ve had a word with him and he wants the job so I’ll train him up before I go on leave. (one week today!!). That’s about it for now, I’ve finished my mug of tea and I think that I’ll have a beer. See Ya.
THURSDAY 5.11.98 5.45pm
Got up at 7.30am this morning after doing two lots of washing last night. I then had a few beers and did a load of ironing. I even ironed four of Markus’s shirts – he was quite chuffed about that!! This morning (being Deputy Stn Commander) I strolled into work at 8.20am and did a few memo’s on the computer. Also had a request from the Chief at Novi Grad Local Police Station for a checkpoint at Rajlovac so I issued the request permits – (what a guy I am!!!). It started pouring down with rain at about 10.30am, but it was still warm (shirt sleeve order) so I dossed about the station. At 10am I went and bought some Burek and a pot of yoghurt from down the road and ate them at the station. The dog (Einstein) had half of it and thought that it was wonderful!!
At 1.30pm Markus, Edin and self went to Ilijaš Local Police Station and we saw Zdenko. We stayed there until 4.30pm drinking stock (brandy) and chatting like a load of housewives!!
We got back to Vogošća and finished work (after dropping Edin off at about 5pm!!). Tonight we’ve got to go out to the Texas Bar/ Restaurant re Hutch’s leaving do!!
Markus is flat out on the settee in front of me, I’m having a mug of tea. (I’m still tipsy from the stock that Zdenko gave us!!!). I don’t know how I’m going to get through tonight, if I tried to sleep now I’d never get up!! (I feel half pissed now!!). Hey-ho, six more nights left including this one and I’ll be in my own bed again!! See Ya!
At 1.30pm Markus, Edin and self went to Ilijaš Local Police Station and we saw Zdenko. We stayed there until 4.30pm drinking stock (brandy) and chatting like a load of housewives!!
We got back to Vogošća and finished work (after dropping Edin off at about 5pm!!). Tonight we’ve got to go out to the Texas Bar/ Restaurant re Hutch’s leaving do!!
Markus is flat out on the settee in front of me, I’m having a mug of tea. (I’m still tipsy from the stock that Zdenko gave us!!!). I don’t know how I’m going to get through tonight, if I tried to sleep now I’d never get up!! (I feel half pissed now!!). Hey-ho, six more nights left including this one and I’ll be in my own bed again!! See Ya!
FRIDAY 6.11.98 5pm
Got to the Texas Bar/ Restaurant at about 7.45pm last night and had a meal and a few beers. We ended up at the Celtic House at 10.30pm until midnight and had a couple of pints of Guinness and then came home again. Heard the alarm go off at 7am this morning but stayed in bed until 7.45am and then got up. Went with Adamu to RHQ and introduced him to Human Rights Co-ordinator seeing as he’s going to do my old job and after that just dossed about the station again.
It started to rain at about 11.30am and has been a pretty miserable day. I’m still counting the days to my CTO (five more nights left!!). I think that I’ll have an early night tonight, we are supposed to be going to the German Army Base at Rajlovac for Bernd’s farewell party but I don’t think that I could force any more booze “Svaki dan ista stara sranje”!!! There’s also Alain’s and the French Contingents leaving bash at Gitro’s in Lukavica (Serb side) on Sunday!! and then we’re arranging a bit of a Barbeque next week as well!!
On the 10th I’ll be working morning and then night shift so that I can get away early in the morning. It’ll be just my luck if there’s an incident during the night! Markus is going to run me to the airport at about 6am so that I can book my bag in. So far I’ve not seen much of John Jones from Central PS (Nottm) he came out in October and is in Sarajevo. Also, to date I’ve not had any confirmation regarding my free flight at Christmas, I hope that the Government doesn’t mess that one up. I think that I’ll phone Mike Rolf up myself when I’m back home just to confirm that they’ve got details.
That’s about it for now, See Ya!!
It started to rain at about 11.30am and has been a pretty miserable day. I’m still counting the days to my CTO (five more nights left!!). I think that I’ll have an early night tonight, we are supposed to be going to the German Army Base at Rajlovac for Bernd’s farewell party but I don’t think that I could force any more booze “Svaki dan ista stara sranje”!!! There’s also Alain’s and the French Contingents leaving bash at Gitro’s in Lukavica (Serb side) on Sunday!! and then we’re arranging a bit of a Barbeque next week as well!!
On the 10th I’ll be working morning and then night shift so that I can get away early in the morning. It’ll be just my luck if there’s an incident during the night! Markus is going to run me to the airport at about 6am so that I can book my bag in. So far I’ve not seen much of John Jones from Central PS (Nottm) he came out in October and is in Sarajevo. Also, to date I’ve not had any confirmation regarding my free flight at Christmas, I hope that the Government doesn’t mess that one up. I think that I’ll phone Mike Rolf up myself when I’m back home just to confirm that they’ve got details.
That’s about it for now, See Ya!!
SATURDAY 7.11.98 1.25pm
I’ve come across to the house for my lunch break so I thought that I’d write a few lines. Since writing last night I just dossed about the house watching TV. There were a few English speaking films on (including the X Files) the picture quality wasn’t so good but it was watchable. Went to bed at 11.45pm and got up this morning at 7.15am. Nothing much doing at work. I made a few rosters and organised some joint patrols between IPTF and Local Police of Novi Grad, Vogošća and Ilijaš. Bernd (German Army) came round at about 11am so have made arrangements to see him on Monday 9th for a drink at this house. He doesn’t get off the Base very much so he likes to drink with civvies!!
Also, tonight Markus and I have been invited to go for a meal with Cathleen and a load of others at her house in Sarajevo. She works in UNHCR which is separate to IPTF. I really don’t want to go, to be honest I’d rather just doss about the house tonight. Tomorrow is Alain’s leaving do at Gitro’s – it’s just getting too much!!
The weather is cold and rainy, I’ve put the wood fire on again and have also got an electric radiator on! I’ve got some uniform trousers, shirts etc to iron – I keep looking at them but the piles still there – maybe later!!! I’m still waiting for the meal I had just now to digest x2 fried eggs, bread + a large tin of Heinz baked beans. (I’ll be “musical” later on!!!). – See Ya!!
Time now is 7.25pm, had a few cans of beer at 4.10pm when we finished work. (I’ve got a full one in front of me at the moment)! Re the meal tonight we had a telephone call from Ann and Cathleen at about 4.45pm inviting us but (thank God) Markus felt like me and sod the meal! I answered the phone and told them that Markus was in Srednje on a job!!! (He was standing next to me). (Cathleen is American and works for the OSCE and Ann in the secretary for the SRSG Elisabeth Rehn). As I wrote before sometimes you don’t want all the socialising!!!!!! I think that Cathleen is after Markus and she really is one ugly female!! It’s still cold and at the moment there’s a load of crap on the T.V.
Also, tonight Markus and I have been invited to go for a meal with Cathleen and a load of others at her house in Sarajevo. She works in UNHCR which is separate to IPTF. I really don’t want to go, to be honest I’d rather just doss about the house tonight. Tomorrow is Alain’s leaving do at Gitro’s – it’s just getting too much!!
The weather is cold and rainy, I’ve put the wood fire on again and have also got an electric radiator on! I’ve got some uniform trousers, shirts etc to iron – I keep looking at them but the piles still there – maybe later!!! I’m still waiting for the meal I had just now to digest x2 fried eggs, bread + a large tin of Heinz baked beans. (I’ll be “musical” later on!!!). – See Ya!!
Time now is 7.25pm, had a few cans of beer at 4.10pm when we finished work. (I’ve got a full one in front of me at the moment)! Re the meal tonight we had a telephone call from Ann and Cathleen at about 4.45pm inviting us but (thank God) Markus felt like me and sod the meal! I answered the phone and told them that Markus was in Srednje on a job!!! (He was standing next to me). (Cathleen is American and works for the OSCE and Ann in the secretary for the SRSG Elisabeth Rehn). As I wrote before sometimes you don’t want all the socialising!!!!!! I think that Cathleen is after Markus and she really is one ugly female!! It’s still cold and at the moment there’s a load of crap on the T.V.
SUNDAY 8.11.98 6.30pm
Went to bed last night at 12.15am after drinking a load of beer and slept soundly until 7.30am this morning. At 9.30am left the station with Adamu to go and fuel the car at Sarajevo and then go to Goražde for the Human Rights meeting. The fuel depot opened at 10am and there were six cars in front of us waiting for fuel. The only problem was that the guy in the first vehicle was towing a fuel tank and it took 40 minutes to fill it from the pump!! Eventually we set off for the 11.30am appointment at Goražde at 10.50am. Our route should have been from Sarajevo to Pale and then bear left by some fuel stations (I was driving). I don’t know how I went wrong but I ended up going through a single lane tunnel that was only large enough for one car and it went on for at least 1 ½ KM. We carried on driving and eventually left the road onto a mountain track. We went higher and higher into the mountains in the snow and after a bit we stopped and took photos!! Eventually we came over the top of the mountain and drove down into Goražde. It was quite an experience. We got there at 1.30pm and had a nice meal. We set off again at about 3.15pm and got into Vogošća at 5pm using the main roads this time!!
Tonight I’m supposed to be going to Alain’s leaving bash at Gitro’s Night Club in Lukavica but I feel rather tired and headachy so I’ll give it a miss! I hope that we fly okay on Wednesday, it won’t be long now before it starts snowing here, already there’s frost on the cars!! Last night Del phoned and told me about the new kitchen, we’re now getting it for £500 cheaper if we have it installed in the next few weeks so she’s going for it!! We’re also getting a King sized bed in the next few days! She’s really splashing out. Good news is that Brian starts school in January so his fee’s will pay for the kitchen!!
That’s about it, I feel as though I’m still driving on that mountain track in the middle of nowhere – it really was an incredible experience being on the side of a mountain in a forest with snow all round!! Even that road tunnel was weird, I’m glad nothing was coming the other way – one of us would have had to reverse for about ½ mile or more!! AND the tunnel had lots of bends in it!!! I’d better go downstairs and get some wood for the fire, my feet are freezing at the moment!! The only good thing is that the chimney goes through my bedroom and it takes the chill off all night!!!
See Ya.
Tonight I’m supposed to be going to Alain’s leaving bash at Gitro’s Night Club in Lukavica but I feel rather tired and headachy so I’ll give it a miss! I hope that we fly okay on Wednesday, it won’t be long now before it starts snowing here, already there’s frost on the cars!! Last night Del phoned and told me about the new kitchen, we’re now getting it for £500 cheaper if we have it installed in the next few weeks so she’s going for it!! We’re also getting a King sized bed in the next few days! She’s really splashing out. Good news is that Brian starts school in January so his fee’s will pay for the kitchen!!
That’s about it, I feel as though I’m still driving on that mountain track in the middle of nowhere – it really was an incredible experience being on the side of a mountain in a forest with snow all round!! Even that road tunnel was weird, I’m glad nothing was coming the other way – one of us would have had to reverse for about ½ mile or more!! AND the tunnel had lots of bends in it!!! I’d better go downstairs and get some wood for the fire, my feet are freezing at the moment!! The only good thing is that the chimney goes through my bedroom and it takes the chill off all night!!!
See Ya.
TUESDAY 10.11.98 4.45pm
Yesterday I went into work and did a bit of shopping preparing for the Bar B.Q. I bought a case of beer, 5 Kilos of chicken legs, gherkin, senf etc. And, Markus came back with a stack of Bratwurst from the German camp! Started boozing at 4pm when we finished work and put the BBQ on at about 6pm. Bernd came at 6.30pm with half the German SFOR and Zsolt, Gergely, Alain, Mladen, Edin, Olivera, Ama, plus lots of others turned up. It was a good night, I went to bed at 1.30am and they were still going strong.
I got up at 7.30am and after washing and shaving came downstairs at 7.50am to face the cleaning lady. I think that she was a little cheesed off about all the mess in the house. Half of the people who came to the party kipped in the living room and spare bedroom until 7am!! I didn’t even know!! I felt tired all day today but at lunch time we had another BBQ on the balcony (Bratwurst + potato salad) it was great!!
Tonight I’m on the night shift but I’m going to stay in my house on “stand by”. I’ve got to do my packing yet ready for leaving for England tomorrow. I’ve got to get up early ready for check-in at Sarajevo at 6am. Markus has agreed to run me to the airport. I hope that the weather's fit for flying!! It’s been cold and a little sunny today, as usual the fires are on again. It feels a little strange knowing that I’ll be home this time tomorrow!! Today Sulejman from Jordan gave me an officer’s side cap and a couple of badges – it was rather good of him. Oh well, I’d better get on with my packing soon. See you next week!!
I got up at 7.30am and after washing and shaving came downstairs at 7.50am to face the cleaning lady. I think that she was a little cheesed off about all the mess in the house. Half of the people who came to the party kipped in the living room and spare bedroom until 7am!! I didn’t even know!! I felt tired all day today but at lunch time we had another BBQ on the balcony (Bratwurst + potato salad) it was great!!
Tonight I’m on the night shift but I’m going to stay in my house on “stand by”. I’ve got to do my packing yet ready for leaving for England tomorrow. I’ve got to get up early ready for check-in at Sarajevo at 6am. Markus has agreed to run me to the airport. I hope that the weather's fit for flying!! It’s been cold and a little sunny today, as usual the fires are on again. It feels a little strange knowing that I’ll be home this time tomorrow!! Today Sulejman from Jordan gave me an officer’s side cap and a couple of badges – it was rather good of him. Oh well, I’d better get on with my packing soon. See you next week!!
WEDNESDAY 18.11.98 4.50pm
Got back home at 11.15am last Wednesday and met Del outside the airport. Got into the house at about 1.45pm and went to the Pelican for an hour. Picked up Catherine from school at 4.30pm and then Brian from nursery. (You should have seen his face!!). Didn’t do much whilst on CTO, Del had a cold so I never saw her!! On Monday 16th Del drove me to Shirley’s and I stayed there for the night before flying back to Sarajevo the next day. I can understand why Del took me back the night before but I felt a bit “fobbed off”. Whilst at Shirley’s got the news that Sarah had her baby, Louise Destiny, and all was well – that’s a relief anyway.
At Heathrow the 12.50pm flight was delayed, we finally took off at 1.35pm and got into Zagreb at about 4.15pm. I then had a wait until 8.05pm before my flight to Sarajevo. At Sarajevo I had to get a taxi to Vogošća because someone boobed at this end and didn’t pick me up. I stood outside the airport like a lemon for ¾ hour!! The taxi cost me 30 DEM.
When I got in (Markus is still on leave) the house was bitterly cold. I made a fire with what little wood we’ve got left and banged on all the electric radiators/fires. It still felt cold, it was awful! Started work this morning at 8am and then went to the butchers and bought some beef and made a bloody great pot of stew!! At least that’ll keep the cold out. When I landed yesterday and today we’ve had flurries of snow so it won’t be long before it comes flooding down on us. At the moment I’ve got all the fires on again and I’m having a can of coke and got washing in the machine whilst I’m writing this.
Tomorrow I’ll pick up Markus at Sarajevo airport at 5pm. Since I’ve been away no-ones done anything apart from one accident report!! What a load of idle people!!! I’ve put my leave in for 20th December until 29th December but I don’t know whether I’ve got the free flight or not!! I’ve also got about 60 DEM left to last me to pay day and I owe Markus 100 DEM!!! If I haven’t got that free flight I’ve got big problems!! See you later.
At Heathrow the 12.50pm flight was delayed, we finally took off at 1.35pm and got into Zagreb at about 4.15pm. I then had a wait until 8.05pm before my flight to Sarajevo. At Sarajevo I had to get a taxi to Vogošća because someone boobed at this end and didn’t pick me up. I stood outside the airport like a lemon for ¾ hour!! The taxi cost me 30 DEM.
When I got in (Markus is still on leave) the house was bitterly cold. I made a fire with what little wood we’ve got left and banged on all the electric radiators/fires. It still felt cold, it was awful! Started work this morning at 8am and then went to the butchers and bought some beef and made a bloody great pot of stew!! At least that’ll keep the cold out. When I landed yesterday and today we’ve had flurries of snow so it won’t be long before it comes flooding down on us. At the moment I’ve got all the fires on again and I’m having a can of coke and got washing in the machine whilst I’m writing this.
Tomorrow I’ll pick up Markus at Sarajevo airport at 5pm. Since I’ve been away no-ones done anything apart from one accident report!! What a load of idle people!!! I’ve put my leave in for 20th December until 29th December but I don’t know whether I’ve got the free flight or not!! I’ve also got about 60 DEM left to last me to pay day and I owe Markus 100 DEM!!! If I haven’t got that free flight I’ve got big problems!! See you later.
SATURDAY 21.11.98 9.50pm
Lets see, since the last time that I wrote – Wednesday I think! On Thursday I was sitting in the station twiddling my thumbs and we had a report of an accident involving an Italian SFOR lorry and a civilian car at about 10.30am. I went with Edin on the main road near to Ilijaš and took details, there was no injury. I then went to Ilijaš Police Department and saw Zdenko and Vehid. Had a coffee and then a mate of Vehid’s brought in a bottle of 10 year old Slivovica that Vehid shared with me!! It was very strong and I’m ashamed to say that when I left the station it hit me like a stone!! I was totally blind drunk. Edin had to drive me back to Vogošća and I woke up the next day wondering what the hell had happened!! I’d not eaten for over 24 hours and I think that it went straight to my head!!! Baloch had ran to RHQ and informed one of the bosses re my state and on Friday I had a visit from Frank Handon the Deputy Regional Commander and my Contingent Commander Ian McLoughlin (Supt). I told them that I’d had one drink!!! Anyway it’s staying “in house” because I’ve got a good reputation for work so no harm done. My body still feels as though I’ve gone 10 rounds in a boxing ring with Mike Tyson!!
Today (Saturday) did a few jobs and had a BBQ at night!! It’s been snowing for the past couple of days so all the blacks at the station are scared to drive!!! At present have just eaten a load of BBQ’d pork and beef – it was great. We’ve got the BBQ on the balcony. I’m now gozzing a can of becks beer!!
Must dash – see ya!!
Today (Saturday) did a few jobs and had a BBQ at night!! It’s been snowing for the past couple of days so all the blacks at the station are scared to drive!!! At present have just eaten a load of BBQ’d pork and beef – it was great. We’ve got the BBQ on the balcony. I’m now gozzing a can of becks beer!!
Must dash – see ya!!
SUNDAY 22.11.98 4.35pm
It’s just getting dark outside and very cold. For the past few days we’ve had snow that’s settled although as yet it’s not very deep but the roads are treacherous. Markus at the moment is in the “kitchen” putting a large joint of pork into the oven!!
Yesterday we had a load of pork and beef barbequed outside on our balcony, it was quite good but cold running out and turning the meat over. Zsolt and Gergely came and we had a quiet drink. They left at about 9.30pm last night and I then fell asleep reading a book on the settee. To date we’ve still got no wood for the fire so the electric fires are going full blast to heat this place up.
At about 2pm this afternoon I phoned Del up, Sarah and Louise are both okay and the new kitchen is being fitted on Tuesday!! I’ve asked Del to phone Mike Rolf to confirm my free flight home for Christmas as I’ve still heard nothing from Mike Holdsworth!! After that “accident” re the Slivovica (pronounced “slivavitch”) last Thursday I still feel like hell, my right knee is just about back to normal but my ribs on both sides ache terribly. I can’t lay in bed on either side without pain so I’m ending up just sleeping on my back! Oh well, its self inflicted!!
Yesterday afternoon a man came into Vogošća and stated that he’d received a fine for not registering foreigners at his house as lodgers. (They were two Jordanian monitors who have since left). International law states that UN members are exempt from registration so someone’s got their wires crossed. I’ll meet him outside the court tomorrow at 10pm and see the Judge with him. He’s been ordered to pay 80 DEM fine and 25 DEM costs or go to prison for two days!!! AND he never even went to court!!!! We’ll see how it goes in the morning!!!
Today I went to Ilijaš and saw Zdenko about a fight that happened in the Restaurant “Jasmin” at Sudići Ilijaš in the early hours of the morning – it was only minor injuries but I did an “Incident Report” to keep everyone happy!! That’s about it for now, I’m just waiting for the pork to be cooked!! At present I’ve got a can of Becks Beer in front of me and I’m about to read my book “Executive Orders” by Tom Clancy which is excellent.
See Ya later!!
Yesterday we had a load of pork and beef barbequed outside on our balcony, it was quite good but cold running out and turning the meat over. Zsolt and Gergely came and we had a quiet drink. They left at about 9.30pm last night and I then fell asleep reading a book on the settee. To date we’ve still got no wood for the fire so the electric fires are going full blast to heat this place up.
At about 2pm this afternoon I phoned Del up, Sarah and Louise are both okay and the new kitchen is being fitted on Tuesday!! I’ve asked Del to phone Mike Rolf to confirm my free flight home for Christmas as I’ve still heard nothing from Mike Holdsworth!! After that “accident” re the Slivovica (pronounced “slivavitch”) last Thursday I still feel like hell, my right knee is just about back to normal but my ribs on both sides ache terribly. I can’t lay in bed on either side without pain so I’m ending up just sleeping on my back! Oh well, its self inflicted!!
Yesterday afternoon a man came into Vogošća and stated that he’d received a fine for not registering foreigners at his house as lodgers. (They were two Jordanian monitors who have since left). International law states that UN members are exempt from registration so someone’s got their wires crossed. I’ll meet him outside the court tomorrow at 10pm and see the Judge with him. He’s been ordered to pay 80 DEM fine and 25 DEM costs or go to prison for two days!!! AND he never even went to court!!!! We’ll see how it goes in the morning!!!
Today I went to Ilijaš and saw Zdenko about a fight that happened in the Restaurant “Jasmin” at Sudići Ilijaš in the early hours of the morning – it was only minor injuries but I did an “Incident Report” to keep everyone happy!! That’s about it for now, I’m just waiting for the pork to be cooked!! At present I’ve got a can of Becks Beer in front of me and I’m about to read my book “Executive Orders” by Tom Clancy which is excellent.
See Ya later!!
MONDAY 23.11.98 1.50pm
At present I’m on my lunch break, I’ve been stuck in the station since 8am this morning. Last night I went to bed at 2am after finishing my book, I feel a bit tired now. We had a small fall of snow during the night but nothing to shout about. It’s quite warm in the mornings but after dark it’s freezing. Good news from Mike Holdsworth, today I received my free flight times and dates, here we go!
On 19.12.98 fly from Sarajevo at 1515 on 0S 832 (Austrian Airlines). Arrive Vienna at 16.40. Depart Vienna to Munich at 17.10 on Lufthansa LH 5375. Arrive Munich at 18.15. Depart at 19.20 on LH 5936 arrive Birmingham at 20.30.
Return it's Depart Birmingham on LX 861 at 08.45 (airline not known). Land Zurich at 11.40. Depart Zurich on Swissair SR 3476 at 13.00. Arrive Sarajevo at 14.45.
Going out it's going to be a right dash so I’d better pack light for the dash to airport bays!!
I phoned Del this morning, she’s up to her neck in it with the new kitchen being put in. But, at least she doesn’t have to phone Mike Rolf now!! Well, I’d better get off and get some washing done!!
On 19.12.98 fly from Sarajevo at 1515 on 0S 832 (Austrian Airlines). Arrive Vienna at 16.40. Depart Vienna to Munich at 17.10 on Lufthansa LH 5375. Arrive Munich at 18.15. Depart at 19.20 on LH 5936 arrive Birmingham at 20.30.
Return it's Depart Birmingham on LX 861 at 08.45 (airline not known). Land Zurich at 11.40. Depart Zurich on Swissair SR 3476 at 13.00. Arrive Sarajevo at 14.45.
Going out it's going to be a right dash so I’d better pack light for the dash to airport bays!!
I phoned Del this morning, she’s up to her neck in it with the new kitchen being put in. But, at least she doesn’t have to phone Mike Rolf now!! Well, I’d better get off and get some washing done!!
TUESDAY 24.11.98 5.15pm
Did all my washing and a load of ironing yesterday in between cans of beer!! Phoned home and work last night as well and had a chin wag. Fell asleep on the settee and woke up at 5pm this morning. It’s not snowed today and the roads are clear now but as soon as darkness comes it certainly gets a lot colder! My ribs are still aching, I’ll be glad when I can sleep on my side again. Haven’t done much today apart from cover in the station. The cleaning lady came round today at 7.30am this morning so both Markus and I went out of the house and in work well before 8am. On Thursday it’s pay day (whoopee)!! On that night I’m off out for a meal in Sarajevo. (Einstein the dog) is getting quite big now. He’s a nice dog but is badly in need of a bath. He stays out all night and then sleeps for most of the day in the station. He also likes nothing better to bite my shoes!!
WEDNESDAY 25.11.98 7.20pm
At present I’ve had a couple of export Heineken Beers and the dog “Einstein” has just managed to open the door and run into the house – he’s great but a bit smelly. Markus is just about to go out tonight with Alma, she’s a Bosnian girl who works at Austria air in Sarajevo. He doesn’t want to go but she’s got “contacts” so he’s got to go although he doesn’t want to!! Tomorrow is pay day but only for people who are collecting with “authorisations” i.e. other peoples money. – That’s me!!! I’ve got jut about all the stations signatures and ID photos to prove it!!!
I’ve had a couple of more beers since last writing. Edin dropped in at about 7.45pm and had a “jov”. After that I felt hungry and ate instant spuds + bockwurst with HP sauce. At least it filled me up!! Time now is 9.30pm. There’s a load of crap on T.V., I’ve stopped drinking and seriously thinking about going to bed. To be honest I’m losing a lot of sleep because of my aching/broken ribs. I can’t lay on my sides and every time I try to turn I wake up very fast with the pain!! What a whinging git I am, this is nothing compared to what these people have gone through! Workwise, again nothing today apart from a couple of juveniles arrested for stealing flags!!! I did an Incident Report just to show that we’re still on the map but that was about it. Today is a National Holiday (National Day) celebrating the fight against Fascism (WWII) and all that. The only sods working are IPTF and that’s about it!!!
I’ve had a couple of more beers since last writing. Edin dropped in at about 7.45pm and had a “jov”. After that I felt hungry and ate instant spuds + bockwurst with HP sauce. At least it filled me up!! Time now is 9.30pm. There’s a load of crap on T.V., I’ve stopped drinking and seriously thinking about going to bed. To be honest I’m losing a lot of sleep because of my aching/broken ribs. I can’t lay on my sides and every time I try to turn I wake up very fast with the pain!! What a whinging git I am, this is nothing compared to what these people have gone through! Workwise, again nothing today apart from a couple of juveniles arrested for stealing flags!!! I did an Incident Report just to show that we’re still on the map but that was about it. Today is a National Holiday (National Day) celebrating the fight against Fascism (WWII) and all that. The only sods working are IPTF and that’s about it!!!
THURSDAY 26.11.98 6.03pm
Last night I stopped up watching some rubbish on TV and the next minute I woke up at 2.30am this morning, I crawled into bed and promptly fell asleep again. This morning I went with Markus and collected the wages of 15 people. After that we hit the PX’s. I bought some ciggies, a bottle of whisky, gin and a couple of Tee-shirts. In fact I’ve just about done nothing today apart from doing shopping.
On Saturday we’re going to hold a birthday party for Einstein the dog (every time he see’s the Bar B Que on he thinks that it’s his birthday). Loads of people have been invited this time so I think that we’re going to have a house full!! This morning we did do a little work. I went and saw the German MP’s at Rajlovac regarding a road traffic accident that happened involving an American who is part of their Secret Service. The Local Police couldn’t get any info and neither could I. Problem is a local driver has had a lot of damage done to his car and needs to claim insurance. In the end we got the name and address of the Chief Investigator of SFOR International Military Police so I gave that to the local cops!!
Today the snows thawed quite a lot but it's still cold at night. So far we’ve still not managed to buy any wood for the fire so we’re running on electric heating. That’ll bump up the electric bill for the landlord!!! This evening we should have been going to a party in Sarajevo held by the Portuguese but sod it, it’s too cold to go, I’m staying in the house with my bum near to the radiator. There’s nothing much else to write about this evening, all’s calm and quiet. See Ya!!
On Saturday we’re going to hold a birthday party for Einstein the dog (every time he see’s the Bar B Que on he thinks that it’s his birthday). Loads of people have been invited this time so I think that we’re going to have a house full!! This morning we did do a little work. I went and saw the German MP’s at Rajlovac regarding a road traffic accident that happened involving an American who is part of their Secret Service. The Local Police couldn’t get any info and neither could I. Problem is a local driver has had a lot of damage done to his car and needs to claim insurance. In the end we got the name and address of the Chief Investigator of SFOR International Military Police so I gave that to the local cops!!
Today the snows thawed quite a lot but it's still cold at night. So far we’ve still not managed to buy any wood for the fire so we’re running on electric heating. That’ll bump up the electric bill for the landlord!!! This evening we should have been going to a party in Sarajevo held by the Portuguese but sod it, it’s too cold to go, I’m staying in the house with my bum near to the radiator. There’s nothing much else to write about this evening, all’s calm and quiet. See Ya!!
FRIDAY 27.11.98 10pm
Hello!! Re Einstein’s “birthday party” Went out this morning and bought 2 Kilos of minced beef for the chilli plus tinned tomatoes, chilli beans, spuds etc, total cost well over 69 DEM!! Finished work at 4pm and I spent until 8pm cooking just chilli. Markus was the same, he made a potato salad with a difference!! Can’t stop, See Ya!!!
PS Received mail from Sam Rousley re Blue camp!!
PS Received mail from Sam Rousley re Blue camp!!
SATURDAY 28.11.98 5.30pm
Prepared the chilli last night after a few beers and conked out on the settee. Woke up at 5.30am this morning. Today bought 1 ½ Kilo of beefsteak for the BBQ, also have 40 Bratwurst and two great big boneless pork joints. Markus prepared them this afternoon. We’ve just got to glaze them with honey now!! Felix’s father (Ghana) died last night so we’ve been ringing to get him home today. He doesn’t know when to go so I’ve told him to stay off work until he decides, we’ll cover for him. There should be a load of guests coming to this Barby, honestly we’ve got enough food for at least 50 persons!! The snows melted away now but it’s still cold outside and grey!! Markus and I finished work at 2pm to get the house ready for tonight, we’ve got candles – the lot!! Must dash now I’ve got to warm the chilli up!! See Ya!!
MONDAY 30.11.98 2pm
At present I’m on my lunch break. The party last Saturday was a success, I should have written yesterday but felt a bit groggy!! Last night I found out that we will be able to get our tax back on wages paid in UK by the police BUT we have to stay out of the country for a full tax year. I.e. don’t go home until 7th April 1999!! It means that we’ll have to pay our own way home and stay a week in Sarajevo but it’ll be worth it (about £3,000)!!! All the snows disappeared from the streets and hills. It’s got a little warmer during the day but is still a tad cold at night.